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Podcast Episode

The cockroach rebellion in India

The Rachman Review··8 August 2026·31 min

About this episode

What began as outrage over a senior judge's comments has become one of the most striking youth protest movements India has seen in years. Gideon talks to Professor Mukulika Banerjee of the London School of Economics about why so many young Indians have taken to the streets, what the "cockroach movement" says about the country's economic and educational pressures, and whether it poses a genuine challenge to Narendra Modi's government. Clip: BBC Free links to read more on this topic:Abhijeet Dipke, the face of India’s victorious ‘cockroach’ protestsIndia’s ‘Cockroach’ Gen Z has had enoughIndia should listen to its frustrated youthWhy India’s student protests are differentIndia’s ‘cockroach’ movement halts protests after minister quits Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Clare Williamson. Sound design is by Breen Turner Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.